Officer Fatally Shoots Man Trying To Run Him Over: Police

WAUKEGAN, IL — A man was fatally shot by a police officer he tried to run over Sunday, police said. Officers were called to a single-family home in the 3500 block of Windhaven Drive for an unknown problem, according to Waukegan police.

Police said an officer encountered a vehicle in front of the house with a 35-year-old behind the wheel and an 18-year-old woman in the front passenger seat. Both occupants were identified as Waukegan residents.

An officer walked over the vehicle and ordered the driver to stop. Instead, the driver attempted to hit the officer with the vehicle, according to Cmdr. Joe Florip.

The 20-year police veteran fired his duty pistol and struck the driver, who continued to attempt to flee the area until crashing into a telephone pole about a block away, according to police.

Police said the driver suffered gunshot wounds and was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The passenger had minor injuries from the crash and was also taken to the hospital.

The Lake County Coroner's Office has scheduled an autopsy for Monday afternoon, and the man's identity has not been released pending notification of his family members.

As per protocol, the officer involved was taken to a hospital for a precautionary checkup and the incident is being investigated by Illinois State Police.